The Punjab government has announced a 3-day lockdown in Lahore and Multan due to the smog situation.
Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb said in a press conference that there will be a lockdown in Lahore and Multan on Friday, Saturday and Sunday for a week. The lockdown will be reviewed next Wednesday.
Maryam Aurangzeb further said that a health emergency has been imposed in Lahore and Multan. The leaves of all doctors and paramedical staff have been canceled. All schools, colleges and universities are being moved online. Government and private institutions will remain closed in all provinces except Murree. A campaign called Detox Lahore is being launched.
Maryam Aurangzeb said that restaurants will also be able to provide only takeaway facilities after 4 pm. All kilns and furnace-based industries have also been closed for a week. Smog will not end in 6 months or a year, for this they are bringing short-term plans of 3, 3 months. Smog has become a national disaster. Not only in Lahore but also in Abbottabad and Multan.
The Senior Minister of Punjab further said that various departments have been targeted regarding smog. Smog has turned into a health crisis. Suggestions are coming from all sides. WWF has written a letter to the Prime Minister. The suggestions that have come on smog are already present in the Chief Minister’s plan.
The Senior Provincial Minister said that the air quality index remains at a dangerous level throughout the year. For the first time, a 10-year plan has been made by sitting with all the departments to combat smog. Justice Shahid Karim formed a judicial commission and met them on this. E-bikes EAQI plan has been made. There is also a smog problem in Lahore, Multan, Sheikhupura, Gujranwala, it will be brought to these places. E-two, three, four-wheeler scheme is being brought in Lahore. More than eight hundred kilns have been demolished.
He said that there was no law to check the fitness of vehicles and motorcycles. Wing stations have been built at Thokar Garden Town and Kala Shah Kaku. 30 gas analyzers have been brought to Lahore which will issue fitness certificates.
